Device for protecting contactless communication objects against fraud

ABSTRACT

The protection device ( 1 ) avoids accidental or fraudulent intrusion of at least one contactless communication object ( 3 ) with a smart circuit ( 31, 32 ) storing sensitive information or information giving access to services, the electronic circuit of the protected object remaining unchanged, notably by means ( 13 ) for receiving radio signals (S 22 ) in a range of frequencies of the order of one megahertz to a few tens of megahertz, the received radio signals generating the operating power for enabling a circuit ( 11 ) generating a scrambling signal to be emitted by emission means ( 14 ) of the protection device as scrambling radio waves (S 21 ) and switching means ( 12 ) validating or invalidating the operation of the generator of the scrambling signal of the protection device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of, and claims the benefit of, thecommonly assigned French Patent Application Serial No. 0609610 (filedNov. 3, 2006, in the French Patent Office), and the commonly assignedInternational Patent Application No. PCT/FR2007/001809 (filed Oct. 31,2007, in the European Patent Office), both of which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of contactless communications betweena terminal or a contactless reader on the one hand, and contactlesscommunication objects on the other hand. The invention notably relatesto a device for protecting contactless communication objects

BACKGROUND

Contactless communication objects, such as, for example, contactlesscommunicating integrated circuit cards are used in a very diverse way,for example for making a payment, achieving an identification of thebearer of the contactless communication object or storing information.Cards of this type are, for example, used for controlling access or forautomatic payment in the subway. The user simply passes his/her card inproximity to a terminal, for example controlling access to the subway,in order to activate the card which communicates to the terminal therequired information for certifying the validity of a season ticket. Byusing an integrated circuit card which communicates without any contactwith a terminal or a port or a contactless reader, the user may, forexample, save a lot of time.

In this type of communication system between a terminal or a contactlessreader and a contactless communication object, the communication isachieved by emission of radiofrequency waves. The ISO/IEC 14443standard, established by the International Standardization Organizationand the International Electrotechnical Commission, for example defines aset of rules relating to identification cards, contactless integratedcircuit cards and proximity cards. According to this standard, theterminal or contactless reader emits radiofrequency signals in adetermined spectrum of frequencies around 13.56 MHz, in order totransmit information to the contactless card and energy for powering it.Other features of this standard, for example, relate to anti-collisionrules when a terminal or contactless reader communicates with severalcards simultaneously.

However, applications achieved by contactless communication objects arenot generally secured. Indeed, contactless communication objects, suchas for example cards, are generally enabled automatically upon theirpassing in an area within range of a terminal or contactless reader, therange area corresponding to a region of space around the terminal orreader, in which the radiofrequency signal emitted by the terminal orreader has sufficient power for enabling the contactless communicationobject. Thus, the bearer of a contactless communication payment card maybe taxed, without any valid reason, accidentally or by a hacker terminalor reader. A technical problem of the cards or contactless communicationobjects is therefore to protect these cards or these objects againstpossible intrusions or against involuntary use.

Further, a contactless communication object such as for example a card,may generally be used by any user. With a stolen subway access card, itis for example possible to open paying access gates. Another technicalproblem of the cards or contactless communication objects is thereforeto allow their use by a user or a determined group of users, in orderto, for example, protect these cards or these objects against theft.

Patent application WO 2005/031663 teaches about a payment devicerelating to contactless payment cards, secured by measuring a biometricparameter of the user. A reader of the biometric parameter thuscommunicates with the payment card in order to authorize enabling of thecard and to make a payment, the card by default being, for example, in adisabled state. However, the making of such a secured payment devicerequires modification of the layout of the electronic circuit of thecontactless payment card in order to have a secured communications linkbetween the biometric reader and the payment card on the one hand, and acommunications link with a controlled payment terminal in an enabled ordisabled state on the other hand. These complex changes brought into apayment card, the volume of which is very limited, are therefore verycostly. Moreover, such a security device requires having a biometricreader associated with each payment card.

A scrambler is also known from document WO 2005/052846, for scramblingthe contactless reading of data media by a reader emittingelectromagnetic sweep signals, having a radio interface for receivingelectromagnetic signals, having analysis means for analyzing theelectromagnetic signals received by the radio interface, and havingscrambling signal generator means for generating a scrambling signal,the analysis means for analyzing the received electromagnetic signalsbeing provided in order to identify the sweep signals of the reader fromthe received electromagnetic signals, and when the sweep signals aredetected, in order to transmit a control signal to the scrambling signalgenerator means, the scrambling signal generator means being arranged inorder to generate the scrambling signal and to transmit it via the radiointerface upon receiving a control signal. But this type of device doesnot allow validation or invalidation of the scrambling by the scramblervia controlled switching means, according to the result of a comparisonperformed by comparison means between a piece of information stemmingfrom interactive authentication means on the one hand and a piece ofinformation stored in the memory storage means on the other hand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objective of the present invention is to find a remedy to one ormore drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a protection device for acontactless communication object, the contactless communication objectcommunicating with a contactless reader or terminal, being simplyprotected against accidental or fraudulent intrusion, without requiringa change in the layout of the electronic circuit of this object.

This objective is achieved by means of a protection device for acontactless communication object with a smart circuit storing sensitiveinformation or information giving access to services, characterized inthat the protection device comprises at least radio receiving means forfirst radio signals emitted by a contactless reader or terminal, in arange of frequencies of the order of one megahertz to a few tens ofmegahertz, the first received signals generating the energy foroperating the protection device in order to enable a circuit of theprotection device generating a scrambling signal to be emitted byemission means of the protection device as scrambling radio wavesintended for the terminal or reader, the scrambling radio waves beingproduced upon receiving the first signals with sufficient power in orderto be received by the radio receiving means of the terminal or readerand to deteriorate the reception by the radio receiving means of theterminal or of the reader, of second radio signals emitted by thecontactless communication object, in response to enabling by theterminal or reader, and switching means for validating or invalidatingthe scrambling by the protection device, the switching means of theprotection device being controlled, according to the result of acomparison performed, by comparison means between a piece of informationstemming from interactive authentication means on the one hand and apiece of information stored in memory storage means of the protectiondevice on the other hand.

According to another particularity, the contactless communication objectprotected by the protection device is enabled in an area within therange of the terminal or reader, the terminal or reader emitting thefirst radio signals by radio emission means, in order to communicatewith the contactless communication object and to provide energy to thecontactless communication object by the radio receiving means of thecontactless communication object.

The contactless communication object emitting the second radio signalsby radio emission means of the contactless communication object, inorder to communicate with the terminal or the reader, via the radioreceiving means of the terminal or reader.

According to another particularity, the radio receiving means of thecontactless communication object and the radio receiving means of theprotection device each comprise a coil belonging to or forming a part ofa determined tuned resonant circuit.

According to another particularity, the radio emission means of thecontactless communication object and the radio emission means of theprotection device each comprise the coil in the tuned resonant circuitused for radio reception.

According to another particularity, as the communication between theterminal or the reader on the one hand, and the contactlesscommunication object on the other hand, is performed according to adetermined anti-collision protocol, the contactless communication objectemitting the second radio signals in response to the first radio signalsat least after emission of a request by the first signals, the circuitof the protection device controls emission of scrambling radio waves inresponse to the first radio signals, the emission of the scramblingradio waves being maintained during the reception of the first signals.

According to another particularity, the scrambling signal received bythe terminal or reader, is representative of determined data processedby processing means of the terminal or of the reader, in order to causea reinitialization in the execution of the anti-collision protocol.

According to another particularity, the scrambling signal received bythe terminal or reader, is representative of determined data processedby processing means of the terminal or reader in order to cause asaturation of the processing means.

According to another particularity, the scrambling signal generated uponreceiving the first signals emitted by the terminal or reader, by thecircuit of the protection device, is a predetermined signal for savingthe energy expended by the circuit in favor of the energy used by theradio emission means of the protection device.

According to another particularity, the circuit of the protection devicecomprises a counter for dividing the modulation frequency of the firstsignals emitted by the terminal or reader.

Another objective of the present invention is to propose a protectiondevice against theft, by protecting the use of a contactlesscommunication object by identification means.

According to this objective, the interactive means of the protectiondevice comprise a biometric sensor transmitting to an authenticationcircuit of the protection device, a piece of information representativeof a measured biometric parameter to be compared with at least one pieceof information representative of a biometric parameter of a userauthorized to use the contactless communication object, making up theinformation stored in the memory storage means of the protection device.

According to one alternative, the interactive means of the protectiondevice comprise an alphanumerical keyboard transmitting to anauthentication circuit of the protection device, a piece of informationrepresentative of a code entered by a user to be compared with at leastone authorization code for using the contactless communication object,making up the information stored in the memory storage means of theprotection device.

According to another particularity, the switching means comprise aswitch or push-button positioned at the surface of the protection deviceor in a recessed housing made in the thickness of the protection device.

According to another particularity, the switching means comprise anelectronic switch positioned at the end of a line of communicationconnected to the protection device.

Another objective of the present invention is to find a remedy to one orseveral drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a portable contactlesscommunications system, in which a contactless communication object issimply protected against accidental or fraudulent intrusion, withoutrequiring a change in the layout of the electronic circuit of theobject.

This objective is achieved by means of a secured portable contactlesscommunication system comprising at least one contactless communicationobject with a smart circuit storing sensitive information or informationgiving access to services, the contactless communication objectcomprising radio receiving means for communication and power supplysignals and radio emission means for communication signals, a firstdetermined coil in a first tuned resonant circuit belonging to orforming a part of the radio emission and reception means of thecontactless communication object, the system being characterized in thatit includes at least:

one protection device comprising radio receiving means for communicationand power supply signals, in a range of frequencies of the order of onemegahertz to few tens of megahertz, in order to enable a circuit of theprotection device generating a scrambling signal to be emitted by theemission means of the protection device as scrambling radio waves, asecond determined coil in a second tuned resonant circuit belonging toor forming a part of the radio emission and reception means of theprotection device, the protection device comprising switching meansallowing operation of the generator of the scrambling signal of theprotection device to be validated or invalidated.

As the means for switching the scrambling circuit are controlled,according to the result of a comparison performed, by comparison meansbetween one piece of information stemming from interactiveauthentication means on the one hand and one piece of information storedin the memory storage means of the protection device on the other hand.

According to another particularity, the protection device and thecontactless communication object are firmly attached to each other in acasing with a secured closure member, the closing of which validatesoperation of the protection device. Stated differently, the casing mayhouse the protection device and the contactless communication object.

According to another particularity, the secured casing is molded in asingle block around the protection device and the contactlesscommunication object.

According to another particularity, the secured casing is closed aroundthe protection device and the contactless communication object, theopening of the casing being controlled by a secured key.

Another objective of the present invention is to allow the protection ofa plurality of contactless communication objects by a same protectiondevice.

According to this objective, the secured casing includes a housing forreceiving at least one additional contactless communication objectstoring sensitive information or information giving access to services.

Another objective of the present invention is to propose a contactlesscommunication system protected against theft, by protecting its use byidentification means.

According to this objective, the interactive authentication meanscomprise an alphanumerical keyboard transmitting to the comparisonmeans, a piece of information representative of a code entered by auser, compared with at least one code for authorizing the use of thecontactless communication object.

According to another particularity, the interactive authentication meanscomprise a biometric sensor transmitting to the comparison means, apiece of information representative of a measured biometric parameter,compared with at least one piece of information representative of abiometric parameter of a user authorized to use the contactlesscommunication object.

According to another particularity, the biometric sensor is afingerprint sensor.

According to another particularity, the fingerprint sensor is an opticalreader in front of which the user passes his/her finger.

According to another particularity, the biometric sensor is an irisreader.

According to another particularity, the biometric sensor is a voiceprintanalyzer.

According to another particularity, the interactive authentication meansand the comparison means comprise power supplying means for achievingthe comparison and controlling the switching means before the entry ofthe secured system in the range area.

Another objective of the present invention is to find a remedy to one orseveral drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a simple device forprotecting a contactless communication object, against accidental orfraudulent intrusion, without requiring a change in the layout of theelectronic circuit of the object and designed in order to be adapted tothe existing apparatuses.

This objective is achieved by a device for protecting at least onecontactless communication object with a smart circuit storing sensitiveinformation or information giving access to services, characterized inthat it comprises at least means for receiving radio signals in a rangeof frequencies of the order of one megahertz to a few tens of megahertz,the received radio signals generating the power for operating theprotection device in order to enable a circuit generating a scramblingsignal to be emitted by emission means of the protection device asscrambling radio waves, a determined coil in a tuned resonant circuitbelonging to or forming a part of the radio emission and reception meansof the protection device, and switching means validating or invalidatingthe operation of the scrambling signal generator of the protectiondevice, the switching means of the protection device being controlled,according to the result of a comparison performed, by comparison meansbetween one piece of information stemming from interactiveauthentication means on the one hand and a piece of information storedin memory storage means of the protection device on the other hand.

According to another particularity, the scrambling signal is emitted assoon as the first signals have been received before the end of a requestin accordance with a communication protocol.

According to another particularity, at least the radio emission andreception means of the protection device and the circuit of theprotection device are inserted into a casing of the same dimensions asthe protected contactless communication object with a smart circuit.

According to another particularity, the switching means comprise aswitch positioned at the surface of the protection device or in arecessed housing made in the thickness of the protection device.

According to another particularity, the switching means comprise aswitch positioned at the end of a line of communication connected to theprotection device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention and themanner in which the same are accomplished will become clearer based onthe following detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary secured contactless communicationssystem according to the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an electronic diagram of an exemplary protectiondevice according to the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary protection deviceaccording to the invention, with the format of a credit card andequipped with a switch;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary protection deviceaccording to the invention equipped with a remote control;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a contactless communicationsassembly according to the invention secured by a keyboard for entering asecret code; and

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 each illustrate a perspective view of a contactlesscommunications assembly according to the invention secured by abiometric parameter reader.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which a preferred embodimentof the invention is shown. This invention may, however, be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Likenumbers refer to like elements throughout.

A protection device (1) is used with one or more objects (3), forexample portable objects, establishing a contactless communication witha terminal (2) or reader. The secured contactless communication objects(3) are positioned in an area (20) within the range of the terminal orreader, in order to be powered by radio waves (S22) emitted by theterminal (2) or reader, and to establish a contactless communicationwith the latter. The protection device (1) is placed in the range area(20) at the same time as one or more contactless communication objects(3) to be protected. In the range area, the electromagnetic field, in anon-limiting way, has a value comprised between 1 A/m and 10 A/m, forexample.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the protection device (1) including acomparison means (111) comprising a power supply means (1100) ispositioned in the area (20) within the range of the communicationsterminal (2) or reader, in order to secure the contactless communicationobject (3) with a smart circuit storing sensitive information orinformation giving access to services. The protection device (1) istherefore in the area (20) of the terminal or reader, as well as thecommunication object(s) protected by the protection device. Thecontactless communication object (3), for example, comprises memoryspace (31) comprising sensitive information or giving access toservices, in communication with a power supply and processing circuit(32) including a comparison means (320) comprising a power supply means(3200). The power supply and processing circuit (32) is on the otherhand connected to power supply and communication means by radio waves,for example comprising an antenna (33). It will be understood that theantenna may be referred to as radio reception means and radio emissionmeans.

The protection device (1) comprises radio reception and power supplymeans (13) in communication with power supply means and processingmeans, for example as a power supply and processing circuit (11), eitherenabled or disabled by switching means (12). The switching means (12)for example comprise a switch (101) or a push-button, in order to eitherauthorize the operation of the protection device (1) or not. The switch(101) in a non-limiting way is a mechanically actuated contact switch oran electronic switch for example comprising a controlled transistor. Theswitch is, for example, positioned by a push-button which eitherachieves an electric contact or not depending on its position.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a transistor switch such asfor example a power transistor, is controlled by electronic controlmeans in a conducting or blocked position depending on an entryparameter. The entry parameter is, for example, the position of acontrol button or the result of a comparison between a piece of digitalinformation stored in memory storage means of the protection device anda piece of information representative of a biometric parameter producedby a sensor. In a non-limiting way, the comparison is carried out in anauthentication device or in the protection device (1). According toanother exemplary embodiment, without departing from the idea of theinvention, the comparison is carried out in the protected communicationobject.

When the switching means (12) are placed in a position for authorizingoperation, a radio frequency signal (S22) received by the receivingmeans (13) triggers the powering of the protection device (1) via itspower supply means. The power supply and processing circuit (11), forexample, supplied with power, comprises means for processing thereceived radiofrequency signal in order to emit a scramblingradiofrequency signal (S21) by emission means (14) of the protectiondevice (1).

When the switching means (12) are placed in a position for preventingoperation, the protection device (1) no longer emits a scrambling radiosignal. The switching means for example comprise a switch (101) forcontrolling, in a non-limiting way, the enabling or disabling of thereceiving means, the power supply means, the processing means or theemission means.

A radiofrequency signal (S22), emitted by a contactless reader orterminal (2) covers its range area (20) and broadcasts power at the sametime as a piece of information. This signal (S22) is for example used bythe contactless communication object (3) with a smart circuit, partlyfor its powering and partly for receiving and processing the containedinformation. The signal (S22) emitted by the terminal (2) or reader isfor example emitted with a first modulation frequency determinedaccording to a first type of determined modulation. The signal emittedby the contactless communication object (3) with a smart circuit, is forexample emitted with a second modulation frequency determined accordingto a second type of determined modulation. In order to scramble thiscommunication, upon its being enabled, the protection device (1)comprises power supply means, receiving and demodulating means andemission and modulation means compatible with the terminal or reader,for example in a non-limiting way, identical with those of thecontactless communication object (3) with a smart circuit. In anon-limiting way, upon receiving a signal (S22) emitted by the terminalor reader, the scrambling signal (S21) is representative of informationeither depending on received information or not. In a non-limiting way,the scrambling signal (S21) is representative of a random message, of asequence of “1s”, of a sequence of “0s” or of a message resulting fromthe processing of the received message.

In a non-limiting way, a contactless communication object type, securedby the protection device, is for example described in patent applicationWO 98/26370. Contactless communicating objects in a non-limiting way areportable objects made with the standard format of credit cards. Thedialog between the contactless reader or communication terminal and thecontactless communication objects is for example described in patent EP0 472 472.

The protection device (1) is also used in a non-limiting way forsecuring one or more contactless communication objects (3) such asidentification cards, contactless integrated circuit cards or proximitycards compliant with the ISO/IEC 14443 standard, defined by theInternational Standardization Organization and the InternationalElectrotechnical Commission. The 2001 edition of the ISO/IEC 14443standard on identification cards, contactless integrated circuit cardsor proximity cards is subdivided in four parts. A first part designatedas ISO/IEC 14443-1:2001, deals with the physical characteristics ofthese cards. A second part designated as ISO/IEC 14443-2:2001, dealswith the radiofrequency interface and the communication signals andnotably on the components to be provided for powering the card and forthe bidirectional communication between the card and the terminal orreader. A third part designated as ISO/IEC 14443-3:2001, deals withinitialization and anti-collision and notably with the methods forcommunicating with a card in an environment comprising several cards. Afourth part designated as ISO/IEC 14443-4:2001, deals with thetransmission protocol.

The scrambling signal (S21) is emitted upon receiving the signal (S22)emitted by the terminal (2) or reader, when the switching means of theprotection device are in a position for authorizing operation. Theemission controlled by the processing means of the protection device isperformed in a non-limiting way as soon as the signal is received orafter a determined time-out. The scrambling signal (S21) is thusrepeated for each received signal (S22) emitted by the terminal (2) orthe reader. Whereas a contactless communication object (3) with a smartcircuit observes time slots for authorizing emission or for awaitingemission, the protection device emits a scrambling signal as long as itspower supply means provide power. A terminal (2) or a contactlessreader, operating for example according to the ISO/IEC 14443 standardfor example establishes a dialog with one or several contactlesscommunication objects (3) with a smart circuit according to a determinedcommunication protocol in time intervals also called slots. Thescrambling signal (S21) is emitted by the scrambling device at the sametime as the signal (S22) emitted by the terminal or reader, at the sametime as a signal emitted by a contactless communication object (3) witha smart circuit or in a normally unoccupied time slot. A normallyunoccupied time slot for example is an emission waiting time by thecontactless communication object (3) after receiving a signal (S22)emitted by the terminal (2) or reader. Thus, the message representativeof a signal emitted by a contactless communication object (3) isscrambled by the additional scrambling signal (S21). Further, thecommunications protocol used by the terminal (2) or reader becomesentirely unusable. This type of protocol, which for example begins withan initialization step, remains blocked in a non-limiting way in theinitialization step.

Advantageously, the protection device according to the invention isadded to a functional communications system between contactless readeror terminal and one or more contactless communication objects (3) with asmart circuit, in order to achieve a virtual wall between the terminal(2) or reader, and the contactless communication objects (3) withoutchanging the structure of the existent communications system. A user byenabling the security device thus prevents an intrusion into sensitiveinformation or information giving access to services, contained in itscontactless communication object (3) with a smart circuit. In order touse his/her contactless communication object (3), the user disables thesecurity device by the switching means.

Advantageously, the protection device (2) according to the invention,powered by radiofrequencies, uses the same sources of energy for itspower supply as the protected contactless communication object (3). In anon-limiting way, the receiving means comprise an antenna also used bythe emission means for emitting the scrambling signal. The carrierfrequency of the signal, received or emitted by the security device, isfor example a determined frequency of the short wave type, comprisedbetween 1 MHz and 30 MHz.

Advantageously, the protection device (1) as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and4 is produced with the dimensions of a credit card. Thus, the protectiondevice (1) is positioned with a contactless communications card in awallet, the protection device (1) being enabled or disabled. In thisway, when the contactless communications card is placed in an area (20)within the range of a contactless reader or terminal (2), the protectiondevice (1) is placed at the same time in this range area (20) forsecuring the card when the protection device is enabled. As illustratedin FIG. 3, a push-button (1001) positioned on the protection device (1)mechanically or electronically controls the position of the switch (101)in order to enable or disable the protection device (1). The push-buttonpositioned in a recessed housing in the protection device, makes itpossible to have minimum thickness in order to place the protectiondevice in a wallet. When the protection device is enabled and placed ina wallet with a contactless communication card, the user may transporthis/her wallet safely without any risk of intrusion by a radiofrequencyterminal or a contactless reader. In order to use his/her contactlesscommunication card, for example in order to make payments in a securedcommercial space, the user disables the protection device by shiftingthe push-button (1001), the protection device for example remaining inhis/her wallet.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative of the protection device (1) disabledby a remote control (1004, 1003, 1002). The protection device (1) is forexample connected through a connector (1004) to a two-wirecommunications cable (1003) at the end of which is connected apush-button (1002) positioned by the user. The button (1002) directlyproduces an electrical connection or enables or disables an electroniccircuit for controlling the switch (101) connected to the connector(1004). The protection device (1) is for example positioned in thewallet of the user with a contactless communication card to be secured,the wallet being in the inside pocket of the jacket of the user. Thecable for example leaves the connector (1004) and then passes inside thesleeve of the jacket right down to the hand of the user who may bypressure of the hand change the state of the push-button (1002) in orderto produce, through the connector (1004), a control signal for disablingthe protection device. The user thus controls time intervals duringwhich radiofrequency communication with his/her contactlesscommunications card is authorized. When the switch (101) is not enabled,the protection device is for example enabled by default.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the portable contactlesscommunication object and the protection device are made as a compactsolid, for example hooked on a same key holder ring.

According to a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG.2, the security device (1) comprises an enabled electronic circuit (100)in the area (20) within the range of a contactless reader or a terminal(2), when its switch (101) is in an enabling position, authorizingoperation of the security device.

In a non-limiting way, the switch cuts off the receiving circuit (108)in order to prevent or authorize at the same time reception ofinformation and reception of powering energy.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the switch (101) is connectedto an input of a smart circuit (114), the logic state of this entrydetermining the state of the smart circuit (114) for either controllingemission of a scrambling wave or not.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the switch (101) either cutsoff the emission circuit (1220, 122) from the remainder of the circuitor not in order to prevent emission of scrambling radio waves.

This electronic circuit (100) in a non-limiting way comprises a coil(102), belonging to or forming a part of a tuned resonant circuit (108)radiating the field in free space, for sensing a modulated magneticfield (S22) originating from the terminal (2) or reader, or forproducing as a response a modulated scrambling signal (S21) of thismagnetic field. The signals are for example modulated according to acarrier frequency of about 13 MHz, in a non-limiting way for a coil ofthe order of 4 to about ten turns. In a non-limiting way,advantageously, as the number of turns of the protection device (1) islarger than the number of turns of the protected communication object(3), the protection device (1) will have a minimum response time lessthan that of the protected object, upon receiving radio signals emittedby the terminal or reader. The electronic circuit (100) of the securitydevice also comprises converter means (110, 112, 116), cooperating withthe coil (102) in order to transform the magnetic field (S22) sensed bythe latter into a DC voltage (d) for powering the electronic circuit(100) of the protection device (1), these means comprising a rectifierstage (110) and a filtering stage (112). A regulator stage (116) is forexample added in series in order to deliver a voltage (d) of adetermined value.

The electronic circuit (100) of the protection device (1) on the otherhand comprises emission means (108, 1220, 122) and means (108, 110, 112,120) for receiving data, also cooperating with the coil. A clockextraction stage (120) receiving at the input the signal (a) collectedon the terminals of the tuned circuit (108), delivers at the output asignal (c) applied to the clock input (C114) of the smart digitalcircuit (114). The regulator stage (116), a voltage stabilizer, forexample delivers at the output a rectified, filtered and stabilized DCvoltage (d) notably applied to a positive power supply terminal (V114)of the smart digital circuit (114), the other power supply terminal(G114) of which is the ground. A modulator stage (122, 1220) operates bycharge modulation for example, this technique consisting of varying in acontrolled way the current consumed by the tuned circuit (108) locatedin the surrounding magnetic field generated by the terminal or reader.The modulator circuit (122) includes a resistive component (124) (anadded resistor or, in monolithic technology, a gateless MOS typecomponent acting as a resistor) in series with a switching component(126) (MOS transistor) controlled by a modulation signal (f) generatedby an output (S114) of the digital circuit 114.

The receiving means, in a non-limiting way, include means (118) fordemodulating the signal sensed by the coil (102), these demodulatingmeans (118) operating on the signal (b) delivered at the output of therectifying (110) and filtering (112) stages. A demodulating circuit(118) for example provides a signal (e) representative of theinformation comprised in the radio signal (S22) emitted by the terminal(2) or reader. The signal (e) at the output of the demodulation circuit(118) is transmitted to an input (E114) of the circuit (114) in order tobe processed. The circuit (114) for example executes a processingprogram residing in its memory (M114) in order to produce a scramblingsignal (f). In a non-limiting way, the demodulating means performamplitude or phase modulation respectively, the emission means includingmodulating means performing amplitude modulation or phase modulationrespectively. In an alternative embodiment, the signal at the input ofthe demodulator directly originates from the resonant circuit (108)without being rectified or filtered.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the electronic circuit (100)of the protection device (1) does not comprise any demodulation meansfor extracting the information in the radio signal (S22) emitted by theterminal (2) or reader. The clock extraction circuit (120) for exampleprovides the clock signal at the input (C114) of a smart counter circuit(114) for dividing by an integer, for example equal to 16. The smartdivider circuit (114) for example produces a scrambling signal (f)transmitted to a modulating circuit (122, 1220). According to analternative embodiment, the modulated scrambling signal isrepresentative of a message residing in memory (M114), the emissionbeing clocked by the clock signal (c).

In a non-limiting way, the modulating stage (122) is placed downstreamfrom the rectifying (110) and filtering (112) circuits, or upstream fromthese circuits, as illustrated in FIG. 2, i.e. directly at the terminalsof the resonant circuit (108).

In a non-limiting way, the scrambling radio signal (S21) is emitted by acontrol of the smart circuit (114) as soon as the electronic circuit(100) is powered or after a determined time-out or after detection ofthe end of emission by the smart circuit (114).

Advantageously, the simplicity of the logic operations carried out bythe smart component (114), for example of the divider type, requiresvery little power resources for operating the smart component (114) andmakes it possible to have maximum emission power.

According to an alternative embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 5-8, theprotection device (1) is sealed to the portable contactlesscommunication object (3) to be secured. Sealing is for example performedwith rigid members nested in the portable contactless communicationobject (3) to be secured, so as to destroy or make this portable object(3) unusable in the case of a separation.

According to another example, the portable contactless communicationobject (3) to be secured and the protection device (1) are molded in asame plastic part.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the protection deviceequipped with an authentication device comprises a housing for one ormore contactless communication objects, the housing then being closed bysecured closing means. Opening the housing in order to removecontactless communication objects, is for example performed by means ofa security key. The secured closing means for example comprise means fordestroying contactless communication objects. The secured closing meansfor example comprise means for crushing a portion of the contactlesscommunication object, in order to invalidate the object placed in thehousing, in the case of a break-in.

In the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 5-8, the switchingmeans enable or disable the protection device (1) by an authenticationdevice (1010; 1011; 1012, 1013, 1014; 1015, 1016, 1017). In anon-limiting way, the authentication device comprises power supply meansor is powered by power supply means of the protection device. In thecase when the authentication device requires significant power andcomprises its own power supply means (1020), such as for example abattery cell or a power supply battery, the authentication devicemaintains the switching means in the position for enabling theprotection device, when its power supply means (1020) are no longeroperational. In the case for example when an authentication devicecomprises a power supply battery cell and that this battery cell nolonger stores any energy, the switch for example remains in the closedposition in order to allow operation of the protection device andprevent fraudulent use of the portable contactless communication object(3) to be protected. The assembly formed by the portable contactlesscommunication object (3) and the protection device (1) equipped with anauthentication device, is thus protected against accidental orfraudulent intrusions and its use is limited to a person having validaccess at the authentication device. The authentication device is forexample configured in order to allow the use by a single person or by agroup of determined persons.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the authentication devicecomprising power supply means (1020), comprises means for disabling theoperation of the protection device (1) regardless of the position of theprotection device, for example outside an area (20) within the range ofa contactless reader or a terminal. In a non-limiting way, the disablingcontrol is performed during a determined disabling period of time oruntil the protection device (1) leaves the range area (20). Theauthentication device, in communication with the protection device (1)for example comprises means in order to detect whether the protectiondevice (1) is no longer powered, in order to control the switching means(101) of the protection device (1) in a position authorizing theoperation of the protection device (1).

According to the example of FIG. 5, the protection device (1) is forexample disabled by an authentication device (1010) including akeyboard. When a user types the correct identification code on thekeyboard, first communication means transmit the code to processingmeans of the authentication device, which control, via secondcommunication means, the disabling of the protection device (1). Theprocessing means of the authentication device for example control theswitch (101) in an open or closed position.

According to an alternative embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 6, theprotection device (1) is disabled by an authentication device (1011) byfingerprint recognition. Non-limiting examples of fingerprint sensorsare: an optical print sensor, a thermal electrical sensor, a capacitivesensor, an electric field sensor or a pressure sensor. According to anon-limiting exemplary embodiment, a fingerprint sensor AuthentecAES1510 or a fingerprint sensor UPEK TCS3C or a fingerprint sensorVeridicom are used for disabling the protection device.

In a non-limiting way, a fingerprint optical sensor performs a captureof a representative picture of the print, or a capture of a series ofimages by relative displacement of the portion of the finger comprisingthe fingerprint relatively to the print optical reader. The relativedisplacement of the finger relatively to the optical sensor for exampleallows an operation of the scanning type to be performed. The user forexample moves his/her finger in front of an optical reader array.

When the user of the portable contactless communication object (3)places or passes his/her finger over the fingerprint recognition device(1011), a signal representative of the sensed print, is transmitted viafirst communications means to processing means of the authenticationdevice, in order to be compared with one or more authorized codes storedin the memory storage means of the protection device (1). If the resultof the comparison is valid, the processing means control, via secondcommunications means, the switch (101) in order to disable theprotection device (1) for a determined period of time, for example in anon-limiting way from 1 second to 1 minute, this time allowing thecontactless transaction to be carried out.

According to an alternative embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7, theprotection device is disabled by an authentication device (1012, 1014,1013) by visual recognition, for example of the iris. The iris readerfor example comprises a digital video camera equipped with an objectiveof the macro type, associated with a means for illuminating the irispositioned close the eye.

The authentication device for example includes a device for recognizingthe iris, attached on spectacles (1013) or another support, worn by theuser, and connected through a communication cable (1014) with aprocessing circuit (1012) which enables or disables the switch (101).When the user of the portable contactless communication object (3)places the iris reader in front of his/her eye, a signal representativeof the iris print is transmitted via first communication means toprocessing means of the authentication device in order to be comparedwith one or more authorized codes stored in the memory storage means ofthe protection device (1). If the result of the comparison is valid, theprocessing means control the switch (101) via second communicationsmeans in order to disable the protection device (1).

According to another exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 8, theprotection device (1) is disabled by a voice recognition authenticationdevice (1011) including a microphone (1017) connected through acommunication cable (1016) to a processing circuit (1015). When the userof the portable contactless communication object pronounces a key audiomessage in the microphone, a signal representative of the audio messageis transmitted via the cable (1016) to the processing circuit (1015).The processing circuit comprises means for analyzing this signalrepresentative of the audio message and controls the disabling of theprotection device (1) if the audio message is authenticated.Authentication for example comprises a comparison of the signalrepresentative of the pronounced audio message with one or moreauthorized signals stored in the memory storage means of the protectiondevice (1).

In the case when authentication fails, the switch (101) remains in astable state for authorizing operation of the protection device (1). Ina non-limiting way, if authentication is successful, the processingmeans control the opening of the switch (101) for a determined period oftime, for example comprised between 1 second and 1 minute, and thenreturn into a stable state for controlling the closure of the switch(101) in order to enable the protection device.

It should be obvious for a person skilled in the art that the presentinvention allows embodiments under many other specific forms withoutdeparting from the field of application of the invention as claimed.Therefore, the present embodiments should be considered as illustrative,but may be modified in the field defined by the scope of the appendedclaims, and the invention should not be limited to the details givenabove.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A protection device for a contactlesscommunication object (3) with a smart circuit (31, 32) storing sensitiveinformation or information giving access to services, the protectiondevice (1) comprising: at least one radio receiver (13) for receivingfirst radio signals (S22) emitted by a contactless reader or terminal(2), in a range of frequencies of the order of one megahertz to a fewtens of megahertz, the first received signals (S22) generating the powerfor operating the protection device (1) in order to enable a circuit(11) of the protection device (1) to generate a scrambling signal (f) tobe emitted by a radio emitter (14) of the protection device asscrambling radio waves (S21) intended for the terminal (2) or thereader, the scrambling radio waves (S21) being produced by the circuit(11) upon receiving the first signals with sufficient power so as to bereceived by a radio receiver of the terminal (2) or the reader, and todeteriorate the reception by the radio receiver of the terminal (2) orthe reader of second radio signals emitted by the contactlesscommunication object (3), in response to enabling by the terminal (2) orthe reader; a switch (12) for validating or invalidating the scramblingby the protection device (1), the switch (12) of the protection device(1) being controlled according to the result of a comparison carried outby a means for comparison between a piece of information stemming from ameans for interactive authentication (1010, 1011, 1012, 1015) of theprotection device on the one hand, and a piece of information stored inthe memory storage means of the protection device (1) on the other hand;and a smart circuit, wherein the smart circuit (114) requires minimalpower resources for operation in favor of the energy used by the radioemitter (14) of the protection device (1) to have maximum emission powerfor at least one scrambling signal (S21).
 2. The protection deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the contactless communication object (3)protected by the protection device (1) is enabled in an area (20) withinthe range of the terminal (2) or of the reader, the terminal or readeremitting the first radio signals (S22) via a radio emitter, in order tocommunicate with the contactless communication object (3) and to supplythe contactless communication object with energy by a radio receiver(33) of the contactless communication object; and wherein thecontactless communication object (3) emits the second radio signals, viathe radio emitter (33) of the contactless communication object, forcommunicating with the terminal (2) or the reader, via the radioreceiver of the terminal or the reader.
 3. The protection deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein the radio receiver (33) of the contactlesscommunication object and the radio receiver (13) of the protectiondevice (1) each comprise a coil (102) forming a part of a determinedtuned resonant circuit (108).
 4. The protection device according toclaim 3, wherein the radio emitter (33) of the contactless communicationobject and the radio emitter (14) of the protection device (1) eachcomprise the coil (102) in the tuned resonant circuit (108) used forradio reception.
 5. The protection device according to claim 2, whereinthe communication between the terminal or the reader on the one hand andthe contactless communication object on the other hand, is performedaccording to a determined anti-collision protocol, the contactlesscommunication object emitting the second radio signals in response tothe first radio signals at least after emission of a request by thefirst signals, the circuit (11) of the protection device (1) controlsemission of scrambling radio waves (S21) in response to the first radiosignals, the emission of scrambling radio waves being maintained duringthe reception of the first signals.
 6. The protection device accordingto claim 5, wherein the scrambling signal received by the terminal (2)or the reader is representative of determined data processed by aprocessing means of the terminal or the reader, in order to causereinitialization in the execution of the anti-collision protocol.
 7. Theprotection device according to claim 5, wherein the scrambling signal,received by the terminal (2) or the reader, is representative ofdetermined data processed by processing means of the terminal or of thereader in order to cause a saturation of the processing means.
 8. Theprotection device according to claim 1, wherein the circuit (11) of theprotection device comprises a counter for dividing a modulationfrequency of the first signals emitted by the terminal (2) or thereader.
 9. The protection device according to claim 1, wherein the meansfor interactive authentication of the protection device comprise abiometric sensor transmitting to an authentication circuit of theprotection device a piece of information representative of a measuredbiometric parameter to be compared with at least one piece ofinformation representative of a biometric parameter of a user authorizedto use the contactless communication object (3), making up theinformation stored in the memory storage means of the protection device(1).
 10. The protection device according to claim 1, wherein the meansfor interactive authentication of the protection device comprise analphanumerical keyboard transmitting to an authentication circuit of theprotection device a piece of information representative of a codeentered by a user to be compared with at least one authorization codefor using the contactless communication object (3), making up theinformation stored in the memory storage means of the protection device(1).
 11. The protection device according to claim 1, wherein the switchis selected from the group consisting of a switch and a push-button, andis positioned at the surface of the protection device.
 12. Theprotection device according to claim 1, wherein the switch is selectedfrom the group consisting of a switch and a push-button, and ispositioned in a recessed housing formed in the thickness of theprotection device.
 13. The protection device according to claim 1,wherein the switch comprises an electronic switch positioned at an endof a line of communication connected to the protection device.
 14. Theprotection device according to claim 1, wherein the means for comparisonis comprised in said contactless communication object (3) or saidprotection device.
 15. A secured portable contactless communicationssystem comprising: at least one contactless communication object (3)with a smart circuit (31, 32) storing sensitive information orinformation giving access to services, the contactless communicationobject (3) comprising a radio receptor (33) for communication and powersupply signals and radio emitter (33) for communication signals, and afirst determined coil in a first tuned resonant circuit forming a partof the radio emitter and radio receptor (33) of the contactlesscommunication object (3); the system further comprising: at least oneprotection device (1) comprising a radio receptor (13) for communicationand power supply signals, in a range of frequencies of the order of onemegahertz to a few tens of megahertz, in order to enable a circuit (11)of the protection device generating a scrambling signal (f) to beemitted by an emitter (14) of the protection device as scrambling radiowaves (S21) upon receiving first radio signals (S22) emitted by acontactless reader or terminal (2), a second determined coil (102) in asecond tuned resonant circuit (108) forming a part of the radio emitterand radio receptor of the protection device, and a switch (12) allowingvalidation or invalidation of the operation of the circuit (11)generating the scrambling signal of the protection device; wherein theswitch (12) of the scrambling circuit is controlled, according to theresult of a comparison carried out by a means for comparison between apiece of information stemming from a means for interactiveauthentication (1010, 1011, 1012, 1015) of the protection device on theone hand and one piece of information stored in memory storage means ofthe protection device (1); and wherein the protection device (1) and thecontactless communication object are firmly attached to each other in acasing (0) with a secured closure, the closing of the casing validatesthe operation of the protection device.
 16. The secured system accordingto claim 15, wherein the secured casing is molded in a single block onthe protection device (1) and the contactless communication object (3).17. The secured system according to claim 15, wherein the secured casingis closed around the protection device (1) and the contactlesscommunication object (3), the opening of the casing being controlled bya secured key.
 18. The secured system according to claim 15, wherein thesecured casing includes a housing for receiving at least one additionalcontactless communication object storing sensitive information orinformation giving access to services.
 19. The secured system accordingto claim 15, wherein the means for interactive authentication comprisean alphanumerical keyboard transmitting to the means for comparison, apiece of information representative of a code entered by a user,compared with at least one authorization code for the use of thecontactless communication object (3).
 20. The secured system accordingto claim 15, wherein the means for interactive authentication comprise abiometric sensor transmitting to the means for comparison, a piece ofinformation representative of a measured biometric parameter, comparedwith at least one piece of information representative of a biometricparameter of a user authorized to use the contactless communicationobject (3).
 21. The secured system according to claim 20, wherein thebiometric sensor is a fingerprint sensor.
 22. The secured systemaccording to claim 21, wherein the fingerprint sensor is an opticalreader in front of which the user passes his/her finger.
 23. The securedsystem according to claim 20, wherein the biometric sensor is an irisreader.
 24. The secured system according to claim 20, wherein thebiometric sensor is a voiceprint analyzer.
 25. The secured systemaccording to claim 15, wherein a power supply is comprised in the meansfor interactive authentication and the means for comparison, and powersthe means for comparison and the means for interactive authenticationfor performing comparison and controlling the switch before the entry ofthe secured system into an area (20) within the range of a contactlessreader or terminal (2).
 26. The secured system according to claim 15,wherein the means for comparison is comprised in said contactlesscommunication object (3) or said protection device.
 27. A device forprotecting at least one contactless communication object with a smartcircuit storing sensitive information or information giving access toservices, the protection device (1) comprising: at least one radioreceptor (13) for receiving radio signals (S22) in a range offrequencies of the order to one megahertz to a few tens of megahertz,the received radio signals (S22) generating the energy for operating theprotection device (1) in order to enable a circuit (11) generating ascrambling signal (f) to be emitted by a radio emitter (14) of theprotection device as scrambling radio waves (S21) upon receiving firstradio signals (S22) emitted by a contactless reader or terminal (2); adetermined coil (102) in a tuned resonant circuit (108) forming a partof the radio emitter and the radio receptor of the protection device(1); and a switch (12) for validating or invalidating the operation ofthe circuit (11) generating the scrambling signal of the protectiondevice (1), the switch (12) of the protection device (1) beingcontrolled, according to the result of a comparison carried out by ameans for comparison of the protection device between a piece ofinformation stemming from a means for interactive authentication (1010,1011, 1012, 1015) on the one hand and a piece of information stored in amemory storage means of the protection device (1) on the other hand; anda smart circuit (114), wherein the smart circuit requires minimal powerresources for operation in favor of energy used by the radio emitter(14) of the protection device (1) to have a maximum emission power forat least one scrambling signal (S21).
 28. The protection deviceaccording to claim 27, wherein the scrambling signal is emitted uponreceiving the first signals before the end of a request according to acommunications protocol.
 29. The protection device according to claim27, wherein at least the radio emitter and radio receptor of theprotection device and the circuit of the protection device are insertedin a casing for housing the protected contactless communication objectwith a smart circuit.
 30. The protection device according to claim 27,wherein the switch comprises a switch positioned at the surface of theprotection device.
 31. The protection device according to claim 27,wherein the switch comprises a switch positioned in a recessed housingmade in the thickness of the protection device.
 32. The protectiondevice according to claim 27, wherein the switch comprises a switchpositioned at an end of a line of communication connected to theprotection device.
 33. A secured portable contactless communicationssystem comprising: at least one contactless communication object (3)with a smart circuit (31, 32) storing sensitive information orinformation giving access to services, the contactless communicationobject (3) comprising a radio receptor (33) for communication and powersupply signals and a radio emitter (33) for communication signals, and afirst determined coil in a first tuned resonant circuit forming a partof the radio emitter and radio receptor (33) of the contactlesscommunication object (3); the system further comprising: at least oneprotection device (1) comprising a radio receptor (13) for communicationand power supply signals, in a range of frequencies of the order of onemegahertz to a few tens of megahertz, in order to enable a circuit (11)of the protection device generating a scrambling signal (f) to beemitted by an emitter (14) of the protection device as scrambling radiowaves (S21), a second determined coil (102) in a second tuned resonantcircuit (108) forming a part of the radio emitter and radio receptor ofthe protection device, and a switch (12) allowing validation orinvalidation of the operation of the circuit (11) generating thescrambling signal of the protection device; wherein the switch (12) ofthe scrambling circuit is controlled, according to the result of acomparison carried out by a means for comparison of the protectiondevice between a piece of information stemming from a means forinteractive authentication (1010, 1011, 1012, 1015) of the protectiondevice on the one hand and one piece of information stored in memorystorage means of the protection device (1); wherein the protectiondevice (1) and the contactless communication object are firmly attachedto each other in a casing (0) with a secured closure, the closing of thecasing which validates the operation of the protection device; whereinthe secured casing is molded in a single block on the protection device(1) and the contactless communication object (3); wherein the securedcasing is closed around the protection device (1) and the contactlesscommunication object (3), the opening of the casing being controlled bya secured key; and wherein the secured casing includes a housing forreceiving at least one additional contactless communication objectstoring sensitive information or information giving access to services.